So here you will find a list of essential software for the Mac and PC. All the download links open a new window. NOTE: Many of these applications are the same across both platforms but the ones that are different we have chosen the most simple and free option!

Web Browser

The only choice for mores secure web browsing AND full compatibility with WordPress. I hope you’re not still using Internet Explorer!

Download Firefox 3

Email Client

Email is a huge part of our personal and business life so we need something reliable and secure.

MAC – Apple Mail – The standard apple email client. Comes preinstalled with new Macs.

PC – Mozilla Thunderbird – A safe and configurable email client for Windows. Imports from Outlook Express easily.

Image Management

Images are a key part of our online and web presence so we need a way to organize and optimize our picures.

Mac – Apple iPhoto – Comes pre-installed with any Apple computer

PC – Download Picasa by Google – A simple clean and powerful application that will make organizing your images a pleasure.

Music Player and Management

We love our music and now we need a way to easily manage our music collection, create playlists and burn CDs. Apple to the rescue again with iTunes!

Download iTunes

Video and Media Player

With so many video formats online we need an application that loads everything without a hitch. Here it is. VLC plater is an all round medial player that just works with everything!

VLC Media Player

Quicktime Player

As well as VLC this makes sure you have the latest version of Apples Quicktime on your computer.

Download Apple Quicktime player

Adobe Flash Plugin

Flash is very common online now from YouTube to those horrible ads on MySpace, having the latest flash plugin ensures smooth playability. (There is a way to control flash ads in Firefox. Article to come!)

Download Adobe Flash playe

Adobe PDF reader

PDF or Portable Document File is a very common document format that displays across many different platforms and operating systems.

Download Adobe PDF reader

Unzip Utility

Unpacking files and sending them over the net generally means being able to compress and/or unzip files.

MAC – Zipeg Unzip utility – Free unzip application. You could also try Stuffit Standard.

PC – Download ALZip Unzip – Opens virtually every archive format imaginable. Or you can try Zipeg for Windows as well.

Anti-Virus Software

Windows especially can be brought to its knees from one exposure to a nasty virus so we need something free and simple that updates and keep us safe.

MAC – Clam Xav Free Virus – Also read a Mac Virus update here.

PC – ClamWin Free Anti-Virus – Open source anti-virus project with good reviews. Have been using this app and has worked well so far. Time will tell…

And because Viruses and Security are so important here are some other Apps definitely worth checking out.

• Bitdefender – These guys get very good reviews for their software.
• Avast Anti-Virus – A lightweight anti-virus application. 60 million users and its free!
• HiJackThis – A good Spyware detection tool.

Utilities and Optimization

Keeping your system running smoothly is pretty important once you get everything running the way you like it. These applications will help optimize your system.

Mac - DiskWarrior – Protects your directory from becoming damaged. An essential maintenance tool!

PC – CCleaner – System optimization, privacy and cleaning tool.

Check out this detailed article on optimizing Windows XP.

Just Plain Useful

This is a general category for Applications that will very likely come in handy.

Find out where your Hard Drive space has gone!

MAC – WhatSize

PC - TreeSize Free

Easily take screen shots on your computer.

MAC – Press Command + Shift + 3

PC – WinSnap

Simple Wordprocessor and Document editor.

PC - NoteTab Light – Free note pad software.

Instant Messaging Client.

PC – Pidgin – Links in with all the major clients.

So that’s the list of must-haves for the moment.

This list is subject to review so if you have any suggestions please feel free!

Take care and happy surfing!

Download This Page as a PDF Now.

Keep in mind that if you use WordPress for your website, the contact form can be configured to send to any email address. This effectively bypasses the need for a domain email account like greatguy@effectiveclassywebsites.com and it means you don’t get any spam. Yay!

Here are some of the benefits of a Gmail account:

1. A permanent email address that hopefully will never have to be changed.
2. An email account that you can check from your favorite email client OR from anywhere in the world through a browser on the net.
3. A huge storage space (3GB and growing) means that you’re very unlikely to go over the quota and miss emails. You can also send email attachments up to 10MB. Very cool.
4. Access to loads of other free services that automatically come with a Gmail account. Things like, Google Calendar, Maps, iGoogle home page, Language Tools, Analytics (for website monitoring), Google Desktop and many more other free goodies.

So if you don’t already have a Gmail account I guess its time to get one!

Sign Up for a Gmail Account here.

How to setup Gmail with your favorite email client:

In this tutorial I will use screen shots with the instructions to guide you through setting up Gmail in your POP mail client.

1. Start at your inbox in Gmail.
2. 
3. On the top right of the screen click the Settings link.
4. From the settings page you are look for the Forwarding and POP link.
5. 
6. Now we want to configure this page to enable POP access. We have 2 choices. We can set it to receive all mail, both previous and in the future, or just from now on. Its up to you.
7. 
8. We can also choose whether we want the mail we check from our client to be automatically archived on the web Gmail or kept in the Inbox. I prefer the archive choice so that when I check my mail from a browser I see only new mail that I haven’t already checked with my computer.
9. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
10. Now we want to configure our mail client to send and receive from our Gmail account.(this will open a new window) Go to the Supported POP Client list page on Google.
    
11. From here we can see all the mail client applications. Each one has a unique setup. Click on the link for your mail client.
12. For your reference I have collected the specific information you will need here as well. Make sure you follow the instructions to the letter and enter all details Verbatim.

Do it once thoroughly and you will be up and running in no time.

• Incoming Mail Server : pop.gmail.com
• User Name : yourname@gmail.com
• Password : *********
• Outgoing Mail Server : smtp.gmail.com
• Server port: 587
• Check the box next to ‘Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
• Use authentication for sending mail by entering your full username and password into the outgoing server section.

And here again in Google Format

Servers tab

Outgoing Mail Server: Settings

Advanced tab

If you followed these instructions you should be able now to send and receive mail to your email application. You are Gmailed up!